Synchronizing device

ABSTRACT

This application discloses a device for synchronizing the movement of a recording tape with the movement of a section of motion picture film. The purpose of the synchronization is to correlate the sound on the recording tape with the pictures on the film. Two reeling members (one for the film and one for the recording tape) and a clutch to engage the two are provided. The reeling member for the film is positioned on a fixed support while the reeling member for the recording tape is positioned on a movable support. Each of the reeling members has one part of the clutch (a two part clutch) attached to it. When it is desired to synchronize the movement of the reeling members, the movable support is moved toward the stationary support to cause the two parts of the clutch to engage and couple the reeling members together.

United States Patent [1 1 Roller [111 3,751,142 Aug. 7, 1 973 1 SYNCHRONIZING DEVICE [76] Inventor: Gilbert Roller, l W. 67th St., New

York, N.Y. 10023 221 Filed: Nov. 24,1971

[21] Appl. No.: 201,681

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 851,125, July 14,

1969, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl. 352/12, 352/129 [51] Int. Cl. G031) 31/04 [58] Field of Search 352/12, 13, 33, 129

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,226,883 5/1917 Higham 352/33 1,899,048 2/1933 Olinger 352/12 X 1,985,552 12/1934 Ross 352/13 2,813,453 11/1957 Browder 352/13 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant ExaminerMichael L. Gellner Attorney-Stephen E. Feldman 57 ABSTRACT This application discloses a device for synchronizing the movement of a recording tape with the movement of a section of motion picture film. The purpose of the synchronization is to correlate the sound on the recording tape with the pictures on the film. Two reeling members (one for the film and one for the recording tape) and a clutch to engage the two are provided. The reeling member for the film is positioned on a fixed support while the reeling member for the recording tape is positioned on a movable support. Each of the reeling members has one part of the clutch (a two part clutch) attached to it. When it is desired to synchronize the movement of the reeling members, the movable support is moved toward the stationary support to cause the two parts of the clutch to engage and couple the reeling members together.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures m nimum: mu

SHEUIUFZ ROLLER R m N E V mT R E m m m P Q ATTORNEY SYNCIIRONIZING DEVICE CROSS REFERENCE This Application is a continuation in part of U.S. application S.N. 851,125, filed 07-14-69, entitled MOV- ABLE MAGNETIC TAPE TRANSPORT SOUND- FILM SYNCHRONIZER, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Over the years many attempts have been made to produce a quick, inexpensive and easyway of synchronizing sound tapes and motionpicture film. However, most of these provided a rather awkward clutch arrangement for-coupling .the two together. The .awkwardness resulted in difficulty in reaching the clutch to cause its engagement, and also resulted in an expensive clutch having many parts (at least three ormore).

Also, in synchronizing a sound'tape with a motion picture film, it is often desirable to be'able tomove the.

sound tape slightly in either direction to affect afine degree of adjustment. To accomplish this a'mechanism was needed whereby the reeling member for the sound tape would be positioned so that both ends of the the recording tape (thezpart that just left the reel and the part about to go on to the reel) could be grasped by the operator. The operator could then pull the tape slightly in either direction to properlysynchronize the sound track with the film. With the tape reel in this position, a mechanism had to be provided that would "permit easy engagement of the clutch without having to reach over the tape reel; one that could be operated'from a position convenient to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 7 A mechanism for synchronizing the sound on arecording tape with the pictures on a'motion picturefilm. The mechanism consists of'a two-part clutch, one half of which is connected toeither the reel for themotion picture film or the reel for therecording tape. This reel is positioned on a stationary support while the other reel and the other part of the clutch are positioned on a movable support. The movable support ismounted so that it-may readily be moved toward the stationary support to interconnect the two parts of .the clutch and thereby couple the tape and film reels together so that the tape and film will move together in synchronization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTI'IE DRAWINGS -FIG. 1 illustrates an overall view of the mechanism.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail of the tape and film reels and the clutch mechanism, with the clutch in an engaged position.

FIG. 3 is the sameview as FIG. 2 with the clutch in the disengaged position.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The synchronizing mechanism of this invention consists of two reeling members (sproketed wheels), one for a motion picture film and one for a recording tape, and a clutch mechanism forinterconnecting the two. A magnetic pick-up head is provided and is appropriately mounted above the reeling member for the recording tape so that the information on the tape can be transmitted to a suitableplay-back amplifier. The motion picture film, on the other hand is guided through a standard motion picture viewer. The pictures on the viewer and the sound emitted by the amplifier are then synchronized by the mechanism of this invention.

In FIG. 1 is shown an overall view of thedevice of this invention. The mechanism consists of two sproketed wheels (reeling members) 6 and I4. Reel 6 being the reel for the motion picture film, and reel 14 being the reel for the recording tape. Reel 6 is mounted for rotation on a stationary support which has a vertical section 26 and a horizontal base 16,-which supports the vertical section. In a like manner, reelv is mounted on another support member 20, which has. a vertical section on which the reel is mounted and a horizontal base to supportthe vertical section. However, this latter support, .unlike the former one which is stationary, is slid- .ably mounted for movement with respect to the former support. The base of this support is rnountedinarecess in the horizontal base 16 of the stationary supportQThe recess is substantially the same-width as the width of base 20 of the movable supportybut issubstantially longer. than the base of the movable support. .Thispermits the support to slide freely ina forward and rearward direction in the recess (to the left and right in FIGS. v2.and.3). This sliding movement,.as will be described in more detail, will engage and disengage the clutch members to join the reels together. A second vertical support 21 is also affixed on horizontal member.20 to act in conjunction with member 22 to more effectively support reel 14. It willbe appreciated that while it has been mentioned that the reeling members are mounted on the supports, in-actuality, the reeling members are fixed on shafts, (axle) which-are positioned in suitable apertures in the support members. Forexample, supports 21 and 22support axle 9 and thereby support the reeling member.

At one end of the axle (the rear end in FIG. 2) a short cylinder is provided. This cylinder acts as both a handle means to permit the support and reeling member to be readily slid toward and away from the other reeling member, .andalso .as a means for rotating the reel slightly in either direction during the synchronization process.

Affixed to the other end of axle 9 is one half of the .clutch mechanism 7. This is a female internally. grooved type fitting,which is either affixed to axle 9, or is integral therewith. In either case it is immovable with respect to the axle. The other half of the'clutch mechanism, (the male part) as shown in FIG/2, is affixed to the other reeling member and has projections on it which mate with those in the female part of theclutch. In the clutch shown, the male part is a hexagonal shaft and therefore the female part, in order to mate therewith, has 6 or 12 internal grooves. It will be appreciated that while a particularconfiguration of the two parts of the clutch has been shown, there are many other configurations that will work equallyas well. One other configuration would be to place the female part of the clutch where the male part is now and vice versa.

The very end of the male section 8 of the clutch member is smooth and of smallerdiameter than the rest of the male section. This is done so that in the disconnected position, FIG. 3, the male member can still extend into the female member for ease in aligning the two parts of the clutch.

Referring back to the reeling member, there are suitable spool members 11 positioned on the side of the reeling members and mounted on the vertical support member. These spool members guide and hold the recording tape and the motion picture film on the respective reeling members.

Now describing the other parts of the apparatus: as shown in FIG. 1, a projector 30 with a viewing screen 31 is also mounted on base 16. This may be on any of the conventional motion picture viewers. The motion picture film, after passing over reel 6, passes over an aperture plate 18 and through the viewer so that it is projected by the viewer on its screen 31. A suitable pick-up head 12, as aforementioned, which is pivotably mounted on support 22 is provided to pick up the output of the magnetic tape. the output is then played back over a conventional audio play-back unit 33.

A suitable frame counter 35 may also be provided to count the frames. The one shown in the drawing consists of a wheel which is biased against the magnetic tape by a lever arm. However, any other suitable frame counter can be provided.

The magnetic tape also passes around a supply reel 36 and a take-up reel 38. Each of these reels consists of a vertical support on which the reel is rotatably mounted and a handle 39 to rotate the reel. Either the supply reel or the take-up reel can be rotated by turning the handle to move the recording tape in either direction, (wind it around either reel). By the use of these two reels the recording tape can be advanced frame by frame in either direction.

A suitable power unit 40. is also provided. This unit consists of a motor having an output shaft 42 on which a wheel 43 is affixed. The recording tape can be positioned around the wheel so that the rotation of the wheel by the motor will cause the tape to be advanced quickly in one direction. The motor drive is used when steady,normal advance is needed. emerging hand drive viewer used when variable speed (slow or fast) is preferred. film.

Referring back to motion picture films, the film is wound around or unwound from reel 46 (which is mounted on support 48) by the rotation of the handle for the reel. From the reel, the motion picture film is fed through an opening in horizontal support member 51, into a receptacle 50. From the receptacle 50, the film passes reel 6 and through the viewer. Upon emerginng from the veewr it passes through another opening 53 in the horizontal support member and into another receptacle 54. These receptacles should be specially treated so that they do not damage the gilm. By the use of these receptacles, the motion picture film will be loose and not on a reel and therefore it can be rapidly moved by hand in either direction through the viewer. If desired, receptacle 50 can be eliminated and the film fed directly into reel 6 from reel 46.

Now describing the operation of the mechanism, reel 46 is rotated to spill a length of the film into receptecle 52. The film is then fed by hand onto reel 6 so that the holes in the film are aligned with the sprokets in the reel. The film is then fed throu h the viewer and into recepticle 54. As the film is passing through the viewer, its frames will appear on screen 31 of the viewer.

The recording tape is also fed into the mechanism. The tape is fed from reel 36 by rotating handle 39 onto sproketed reel 14. The holes in the tape are also aligned with the sprokets in this reel. In this position the' pickup head will contact the tape so that the output of the tape can be played back over an amplifier. After the tape passes under the pick-up head, it will pass over the wheel of the frame counter 35, through the motor unit the two parts of the clutch 7 and 9 to become engaged.

and onto reel 38. The tape can now be moved in either direction by rotating either reel 36 or 38.

To perform the actual synchronization operation (to align the pictures on the film and the sound on the tape), the operator will sit in front of the viewer so that he can see the viewer and also can reach reels 36 and 46 and the motion picture film entering the projector with his left hand and reel 38 and the motion picture film emerging from the projector with his right hand. He can then grasp both ends of the film and move it slightly in either direction and also can grasp both of the winding reels 36 and 38 for the recording tape to move the tape in either direction. The operator can then move the recording tape and motion picture back and forth until the picture and the sound are in exact synchronization. In order for this synchronizing to be done effectively, the operator must be able to see the picture, hear the audio and move the tape and motion picture slightly in either direction. If the operator did not have the proper access to both ends of both the tape and the film, he could not make the fine adjust ments (frame by frame movements of the film and slight movements of the recording tape) needed to properly synchronize the motion picture film and tape together.

During the entire time of the above discussion the support for the tape has been in the position of FIG. 3, so that the clutch mechanism is disengaged This permits independent movement of both the film and the recording tape. When the tape and the motion picture are synchronized (a particular frame of film is aligned with its sound on the recordng tape), support 20 is slidingly shifted (in its recess in the stationary support) towards the motion picture reeling member 6 by grasping the handle, (the short cylinder). This movement causes The grooves of member 19 fit into the grooves inside member 7. The two halves of the clutchare then locked together so that rotation of one reeling member causes the rotation of the other. The motor unit can then be activated so that the recording tape is automatically advanced. Since the clutch is engaged at this point by moving the recording tape, the film will also be moved. The film and recording tape will now move in synchronization.

In order to effectively operate the mechanism, the clutch has to be positioned so that it can easily be engaged and disengaged by the operator. By securing one end of the clutch to a movable support which is near the operator and the other end to a fixed support, the operator can readily engage and disengage the clutch while properly synchronizing the film and tape. This positioning has to be such that the operator does not have to reach over the recording tape reeling member to engage or disengage the clutch. If the operator had to reach over the reeling member, engagement and disengagement of the clutch would be very difficult, as he would not be able to see what he was doing.

Also, by moving the recording tape reel support towards the motion picture reel support, the clutch need only consist of two parts, one of which is attached to each reel. If each of the supports were fixed and part of the clutch attached to each fixed support, an additional moving part would have to be added to the clutch mechanism in order to interconnect the two fixed clutch parts, resulting in the further complication of the construction, cost and operation of the mechanism.

It will thus be appreciated that a highly efficient and simply operated film synchronization mechanism is provided. While the embodiment of the invention has been described, it will be appreciated that one skilled in the art can make modifications thereof that would come within the true spirit and scope of the invention. What is claimed 1. A device for synchronizing the movement of a sound tape and a picture tape comprising:

a first reeling member adapted 'to have one of the tapes wound thereon a second reeling member adapted to have the other of the tapes would thereon and shiftable with respect to said first reeling member a first connecting member affixed to said first reeling member and immovable with respect thereto a second connecting member affixed to said second reeling member and immovable with respect thereto, so that when said second reeling member is shifted with respect to said first reeling member said second connecting member will selectively engage said first connecting member so that when said fist reeling member is rotated said second reeling member will rotate in synchronization with it. 2. The device of claim 1 including a first support member on which said first reeling member is mounted and a second support member on which said second reeling member is mounted, said second support member being slidably positioned in said first support member for shifting relative thereto.

-3. The device in claim 2 wherein said first support member comprises a basemember and an upstanding member, said basemember having a channel therein and where said second support member comprises a basemember and an upstanding member said latter basemember being slidably positioned on the channel in said former basemember.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said first'connecting means comprises a shaft having an opening with grooves therein and wherein said second connecting means comprises a shaft having edges which correspond with said grooves and are adapted to mate therewith.

5. A device for synchronizing the movement of a sound tape and a picture tape comprising:

a first reeling member adapted to have one of the tapes wound thereon a second reeling member mounted for movement towards said first reeling member and adapted to have the other of the tapes wound thereon a first connecting member affixed to said first reeling member and positioned on the side of said first reeling member proximal said second reeling member a second connecting member affixed to said second reeling member and positioned on the side of said second reeling member proximal said first connecting member and adapted to selectively engage said first connecting member when said second reeling memeris moved toward said first reeling member, said second reeling member will rotate in synchronization with said first reeling member when said first and second connecting members are engaged to cause the sound tape and picture tape to move in synchronization.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said first connecting member is immovable with respect to said first reeling member and said second connecting member is immovable with respect to said second reeling member.

7. The device of claim 2 wherein said first and second connecting members are the only parts of said connecting members. i

8. The device of claim 5 wherein said second reeling member is positioned substantially parallel to said first reeling member and wherein said means is positioned perpendicular to said second reeling member and wherein a viewing member is provided to view the output of the picture tape, said viewing member having a viewing screen which is positioned in a plane that is substantially parallel to said first and second reeling members so that the means is positioned proximal to an observer viewing the picture on said screen.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the reeling members comprises sprocketed wheels over which the tapes pass and wherein pick-up means are provided to pick up a recording on the recording tape.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the second reeling member is positioned so that as a tape passes over it both a part of the tape not yet on the reeling member and a part of the tape that just left the reeling member will be equally accessible to an operator operating the device.

Q UNlTED STATES ?ATENT UFFICE k CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,751,142 A Dated August 7, 1973 Inventor(s) Gilbert Roller It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the specification:

Column '1, line 22, delete the second "the" Column 1, line 59, "sproketed" should read "sprocketed" Column '2 lines 4 and 5,"sproketed" should read "sprocketed" 4 Column 3, line 12, the second "the" shouldpread "The" Column 3-, line 34,"emerging" should read "The" Column 3, line 35 "viewer" should read "is" Column 3,; line 36, delete "film."

Column 3 line 44, "ginng" should read "ging" Column 3, line 44, "veewr" should read "viewer" Column 31, line 47, "gilm" should read "film" Column 3, line 54, "receptecle" should read "receptacle" Column 3, line 56, "sprokets" should read "sprockets" Column3, line 58, "recepticle" should read "receptacle" Column, 3, line 62, "sproketed" should read "sprocketed" Column 3, line 63, "sprokets" should read "sprockets" Signed and sealed thi s l ith day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents UNlTED STATES PATENT owner CERTWLCATE CRECHN Patent No. 3 751, 142 Dated August 7, 1973 Inventor(s) Gilbert er It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the specification:

Column 1, line 22, delete the second "the" Column 1, line 59, "sproketed" should read "sprocketed" Column '2, lines 4 and 5,"sproketed" should read "sprocketed" Column 3, line 12, the second "the" shouldread "The" Column 3, line 34,"emerging" should read "The" Column 3, line 35 "viewer" should read "is" Column 3, line 36, delete "film."

Column 3 line 44, "ginng" should read "ging" Column 3, line 44, "veewr" should read "viewer" Column 3', line 47, "gilm" should read "film" Column 3, line 54, "receptecle" should read "receptacle" Column 3, line 56, "sprokets" should read "sprockets" Column 3, line 58, "recepticle" should read -"receptacle" Column, 3, line 62, "sproketed" should read "sprocketed" Column 3, line 63, "sprokets" should read "sprockets" Signed and sealed thi' 'i'ih day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A device for synchronizing the movement of a sound tape and a picture tape comprising: a first reeling member adapted to have one of the tapes wound thereon a second reeling member adapted to have the other of the tapes would thereon and shiftable with respect to said first reeling member a first connecting member affixed to said first reeling member and immovable with respect thereto a second connecting member affixed to said second reeling member and immovable with respect thereto, so that when said second reeling member is shifted with respect to said first reeling member said second connecting member will selectively engage said first connecting member so that wHen said fist reeling member is rotated said second reeling member will rotate in synchronization with it.
 2. The device of claim 1 including a first support member on which said first reeling member is mounted and a second support member on which said second reeling member is mounted, said second support member being slidably positioned in said first support member for shifting relative thereto.
 3. The device in claim 2 wherein said first support member comprises a basemember and an upstanding member, said basemember having a channel therein and where said second support member comprises a basemember and an upstanding member said latter basemember being slidably positioned on the channel in said former basemember.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein said first connecting means comprises a shaft having an opening with grooves therein and wherein said second connecting means comprises a shaft having edges which correspond with said grooves and are adapted to mate therewith.
 5. A device for synchronizing the movement of a sound tape and a picture tape comprising: a first reeling member adapted to have one of the tapes wound thereon a second reeling member mounted for movement towards said first reeling member and adapted to have the other of the tapes wound thereon a first connecting member affixed to said first reeling member and positioned on the side of said first reeling member proximal said second reeling member a second connecting member affixed to said second reeling member and positioned on the side of said second reeling member proximal said first connecting member and adapted to selectively engage said first connecting member when said second reeling memer is moved toward said first reeling member, said second reeling member will rotate in synchronization with said first reeling member when said first and second connecting members are engaged to cause the sound tape and picture tape to move in synchronization.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein said first connecting member is immovable with respect to said first reeling member and said second connecting member is immovable with respect to said second reeling member.
 7. The device of claim 2 wherein said first and second connecting members are the only parts of said connecting members.
 8. The device of claim 5 wherein said second reeling member is positioned substantially parallel to said first reeling member and wherein said means is positioned perpendicular to said second reeling member and wherein a viewing member is provided to view the output of the picture tape, said viewing member having a viewing screen which is positioned in a plane that is substantially parallel to said first and second reeling members so that the means is positioned proximal to an observer viewing the picture on said screen.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein the reeling members comprises sprocketed wheels over which the tapes pass and wherein pick-up means are provided to pick up a recording on the recording tape.
 10. The device of claim 8 wherein the second reeling member is positioned so that as a tape passes over it both a part of the tape not yet on the reeling member and a part of the tape that just left the reeling member will be equally accessible to an operator operating the device. 